6924. qedem
Lexical Summary
qedem: East, ancient times, antiquity, front, before

Original Word: קֶדֶם
Part of Speech: noun masculine; adverb; noun
Transliteration: qedem
Pronunciation: keh'-dem
Phonetic Spelling: (keh'-dem)
KJV: aforetime, ancient (time), before, east (end, part, side, -ward), eternal, X ever(-lasting), forward, old, past
Word Origin: [from H6923 (קָדַם - meet)]

1. the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the East) or time (antiquity)
2. often used adverbially (before, anciently, eastward)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
aforetime, ancient time, before, east end, part, side eternal, everlasting, forward,

Or qedmah {kayd'-maw}; from qadam; the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the East) or time (antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently, eastward) -- aforetime, ancient (time), before, east (end, part, side, -ward), eternal, X ever(-lasting), forward, old, past. Compare qidmah.

see HEBREW qadam

see HEBREW qidmah

Brown-Driver-Briggs
קֶ֫דֶם noun [masculine] front, east, aforetime; — absolute׳ק Deuteronomy 33:27 +, קֶ֑קֶם Judges 8:10 +; construct קֶדֶם Proverbs 8:22; once plural construct קַדְמֵי Proverbs 8:23; —

1 location

a. front, ׳מִקּ Isaiah 9:11 from the front (i.e. East), in front (opposed to מֵאָחוֺר), ׳אָחוֺר וָק Psalm 139:5 behind and before; אֶהֳלֹךְ ׳ק Job 23:8 I go forward (opposed to אָחוֺר)

b. East: ׳הַרהַֿקּ Genesis 10:30 (J) mount of the East; ׳בְּנֵיקֿ = dwellers in the east, tribes east or northeast of Canaan Genesis 29:1 (E), Judges 6:3,33; Judges 7:12; Judges 8:10; 1 Kings 5:10; Isaiah 11:14; Jeremiah 49:28; Ezekiel 25:4,10; Job 1:3; ׳הַרְרֵי ק Numbers 23:7, see Di Sachau: Reise (1883), 159 ff.165 ff. Dr in Hast.PETHOS; ׳אֶרֶץ ק Genesis 25:6 (J); מָֽלְאוּ מִקֶּדֶם Isaiah 2:6 they are full from the east (insert probablyקֶסֶם, מִקְסָם, or < קֹסְמִים before ׳מִקּ, compare Lo De Du CheHpt Di-Kit); elsewhere ׳מִקּ =eastward: (I) in the east Genesis 2:8 (2) on the eastern (side) Genesis 12:8 (J) Zechariah 14:4; לְ ׳מִקּ on the east of Genesis 3:24 (J), Genesis 12:8 (J), Numbers 34:(P), Joshua 7:2 (JE), Judges 8:11; Ezekiel 11:23 = Jonah 4:5; -3eastward, with verb of motion Genesis 11:2; Genesis 13:11 (both J).

2 temporal, ancient time, aforetime:

a. ׳הַרְרֵי ק Deuteronomy 33:15 ancient mountains, compare ׳אֱלֹהֵי ק Deuteronomy 33:27, ׳מַלְכֵיקֿ Isaiah 19:11, ׳בִּשְׁמֵי שְׁמֵיקֿ Psalm 68:34.

b. ׳כִּימֵי ק Psalm 44:2 in ancient days; compare ׳מִימֵי ק from of old Isaiah 23:7; Micah 7:20; Lamentations 1:7; Lamentations 2:17; Isaiah 37:26 = ׳לְמִימֵי ק) 2 Kings 19:25 (see מִן 9b (2)); ׳כִּימֵי ק Isaiah 51:9; Jeremiah 46:26; ׳יַרְחֵי ק Job 29:2 months of old.

c. ׳מִקּ from of old Micah 5:1; Isaiah 45:21; Isaiah 46:10; Habakkuk 1:12; Nehemiah 12:46; Psalm 77:12 ׳מִנִּיק 7; Psalm 8:2 springing out of, derived from, ancient times (compare Dr); ׳יָמִים מִקּ Psalm 77:6; Psalm 143:5 days from of old.

d. ׳ק alone, as adverb anciently, of old Psalm 74:2; Psalm 119:152; ׳כְּק Jeremiah 30:20; Lamentations 5:21; ׳ישֵׁב ק Psalm 55:20 he that sitteth (enthroned from) of old.

e. beginning, מִקַּדְמֵיאָֿ֑רֶץ Proverbs 8:23 from the beginnings of the earth; מִפְעָלָיו ׳ק Proverbs 8:22 the beginning of his works ("" רֵאשִׁית).

[קֵ֫דֶם], with ה locative I. קֵ֫דְמָה

adverb eastward, to, toward, the east; — Genesis 25:6 (J), Leviticus 1:16; Leviticus 16:14; Numbers 34:3,11,15; Joshua 19:12,13 (all P), 1 Kings 7:39 2Chronicles 4:10; 1 Kings 17:3 = 2 Kings 13:17; Ezekiel 8:16 (twice in verse); + north, south, west, Genesis 13:14; Genesis 28:14 (both J), Numbers 2:3; Numbers 3:28; Numbers 10:5 (north, west, in ᵐ5), Numbers 34:10 (all P); also as

noun after מְּאַת = eastern side, Exodus 27:13; Exodus 38:13 (both P), + W Ezekiel 45:7 (strike out Co; read קֶדֶם Berthol Toy Krae), + north, south, west, Numbers 35:5; Joshua 18:20 so ׳גְּבוּל ק Joshua 15:5 (all P).

Topical Lexicon
Overview

קֶדֶם (Qedem) functions in Scripture with a dual nuance: spatially as “east” or “front,” and temporally as “ancient” or “everlasting.” Across roughly eighty-seven Old Testament occurrences, the Spirit employs the term to reveal the ordered cosmos, God’s eternal nature, covenantal continuity, and mission strategy for His people.

Semantic Range

1. Physical orientation: the direction of the rising sun, the region that lies before one facing east.
2. Temporal scope: primeval antiquity reaching back to creation and forward to unending eternity.
3. Qualitative description: the venerable, time-tested ways of God and His purposes.

Spatial Orientation: Eastward Direction

Facing east organized life for patriarchs and pilgrims alike. Eden was planted “in the east” (Genesis 2:8), anchoring humanity’s beginning in Qedem. The tabernacle faced east (Numbers 3:38), directing worship toward the dawn that daily proclaims new mercies. Even judgment scenes retain the axis: when Cain was driven “east of Eden” (Genesis 4:16), the vocabulary underscored exile from God’s presence.

Geographical Designations

Qedem identifies peoples and territories:
• “The land of the east” where the patriarchs sought wives (Genesis 29:1).
• “Sons of the east” appearing as traders (Genesis 25:6), counselors (Job 1:3), or invading armies (Judges 6:3).
• Desert steppes east of Jordan (Numbers 23:7; Ezekiel 25:4).

These references remind readers that God governs history beyond Israel’s borders, summoning or restraining eastern nations to accomplish His plans (Isaiah 46:11).

Temporal Dimension: Antiquity and Eternity

Qedem often points to the remote past, yet simultaneously highlights timelessness:
• “Remember the days of old; consider the years of generations past” (Deuteronomy 32:7).
• “The everlasting God is your dwelling place” (Deuteronomy 33:27).

The prophets extend the line forward: “His goings forth are from of old, from the days of eternity” (Micah 5:2). Thus Qedem situates Messiah’s origins outside temporal limits while affirming His incarnational entrance in Bethlehem.

Character of God: Eternal Majesty

By attributing Qedem to the LORD, Scripture proclaims His self-existence. Habakkuk glimpses a theophany: “God comes from Teman, the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah. His splendor covers the heavens, and the earth is full of His praise” (Habakkuk 3:3). The parallelism links Teman (south) and Qedem (east) to frame creation within His radiant glory.

Covenantal and Redemptive Themes

God’s ancient promises ground present assurance. Isaiah comforts exiles with the pledge: “I call a bird of prey from the east, a man for My purpose from a far country. Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass” (Isaiah 46:11). Cyrus’s rise from the east manifests the steadfast word given long ago. The same term appears in Psalm 74:12: “Yet God is my King from of old, working salvation on the earth.”

Prophetic and Eschatological Usage

Ezekiel’s climactic vision shows the glory of the LORD returning “from the east” (Ezekiel 43:2), reversing the earlier departure (Ezekiel 10:19). Zechariah echoes: “I will bring them back... from the east and from the west” (Zechariah 8:7), adumbrating the final ingathering. Revelation picks up the typology: “I saw another angel descending from the rising of the sun” (Revelation 7:2), signaling sealing grace that shields the servants of God.

Wisdom Literature Perspective

Proverbs esteems the “ancient boundary stone” (Proverbs 22:28), urging fidelity to foundational truth. Job’s companions hail from Qedem (Job 2:11), embodying early Near-Eastern wisdom; yet their limited grasp contrasts with divine counsel “older than the earth” (Job 15:7). True wisdom issues from the Lord of Qedem (Job 12:13).

Practical Ministry Implications

1. Worldview: Orient life toward the Lord who stands at the beginning and the end.
2. Worship: Face each day with expectancy, mindful that the sunrise bears witness to His steadfast love renewed “from ancient times.”
3. Mission: Trust God’s sovereign reach into every culture “east of” one’s current horizon, confident He summons servants from unexpected quarters.
4. Counseling: Invite believers to rest in the “eternal arms” (Deuteronomy 33:27), transforming fear of the unknown future into faith in the Ancient of Days.

Key Occurrences for Study

Genesis 2:8; Genesis 13:11; Genesis 25:6; Exodus 27:13; Deuteronomy 33:27; Joshua 7:2; Judges 6:3; 1 Chronicles 9:18; Job 1:3; Psalm 74:12; Psalm 78:12; Proverbs 8:22; Isaiah 9:12; Isaiah 41:2; Isaiah 46:11; Jeremiah 2:6; Ezekiel 43:2; Micah 5:2; Zechariah 8:7; Malachi 1:11.

Summary

Qedem integrates geography with theology, time with eternity, and covenant history with eschatological hope. As believers trace its thread, they are invited to behold the God who, from earliest ages and eastern horizons, orders redemption’s account and calls His people into the unfolding dawn of His everlasting kingdom.

Forms and Transliterations
הַקֶּֽדֶם׃ הקדם׃ וָקֵ֖דְמָה וָקֵ֥דְמָה וָקֶ֣דֶם וּמִקֶּ֖דֶם ומקדם וקדם וקדמה כְּקֶ֔דֶם כְּקֶֽדֶם׃ כקדם כקדם׃ מִקֶּ֑דֶם מִקֶּ֔דֶם מִקֶּ֖דֶם מִקֶּ֗דֶם מִקֶּ֛דֶם מִקֶּ֜דֶם מִקֶּ֣דֶם מִקֶּ֥דֶם מִקֶּ֨דֶם מִקֶּדֶם֒ מִקַּדְמֵי־ מקדם מקדמי־ קֵ֑דְמָה קֵ֔דְמָה קֵ֖דְמָה קֵ֙דְמָה֙ קֵ֚דְמָה קֵ֣דְמָה קֵ֥דְמָה קֵֽדְמָה׃ קֶ֑דֶם קֶ֔דֶם קֶ֖דֶם קֶ֗דֶם קֶ֙דֶם֙ קֶ֜דֶם קֶ֣דֶם קֶ֤דֶם קֶּ֗דֶם קֶֽדֶם׃ קדם קדם׃ קדמה קדמה׃ hakKedem haq·qe·ḏem haqqeḏem kə·qe·ḏem Kedem Kedemah keKedem kəqeḏem mikkadmei mikKedem miq·qaḏ·mê- miq·qe·ḏem miqqaḏmê- miqqeḏem qê·ḏə·māh qe·ḏem qeḏem qêḏəmāh ū·miq·qe·ḏem umikKedem ūmiqqeḏem vaKedem vaKedemah wā·qê·ḏə·māh wā·qe·ḏem wāqeḏem wāqêḏəmāh
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Genesis 2:8
HEB: גַּן־ בְעֵ֖דֶן מִקֶּ֑דֶם וַיָּ֣שֶׂם שָׁ֔ם
NAS: toward the east, in Eden;
KJV: a garden eastward in Eden;
INT: A garden Eden the east placed and there

Genesis 3:24
HEB: הָֽאָדָ֑ם וַיַּשְׁכֵּן֩ מִקֶּ֨דֶם לְגַן־ עֵ֜דֶן
NAS: the man out; and at the east of the garden
KJV: and he placed at the east of the garden
INT: the man stationed the east of the garden of Eden

Genesis 10:30
HEB: סְפָ֖רָה הַ֥ר הַקֶּֽדֶם׃
NAS: the hill country of the east.
KJV: unto Sephar a mount of the east.
INT: Sephar the hill of the east

Genesis 11:2
HEB: וַֽיְהִ֖י בְּנָסְעָ֣ם מִקֶּ֑דֶם וַֽיִּמְצְא֥וּ בִקְעָ֛ה
NAS: about as they journeyed east, that they found
KJV: And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found
INT: came journeyed east found A plain

Genesis 12:8
HEB: מִשָּׁ֜ם הָהָ֗רָה מִקֶּ֛דֶם לְבֵֽית־ אֵ֖ל
NAS: to the mountain on the east of Bethel,
KJV: from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel,
INT: there to the mountain the east of Bethel and pitched

Genesis 12:8
HEB: מִיָּם֙ וְהָעַ֣י מִקֶּ֔דֶם וַיִּֽבֶן־ שָׁ֤ם
NAS: and Ai on the east; and there
KJV: and Hai on the east: and there he builded
INT: the west and Ai the east built and there

Genesis 13:11
HEB: וַיִּסַּ֥ע ל֖וֹט מִקֶּ֑דֶם וַיִּפָּ֣רְד֔וּ אִ֖ישׁ
NAS: journeyed eastward. Thus they separated
KJV: journeyed east: and they separated themselves
INT: journeyed and Lot eastward separated each

Genesis 13:14
HEB: צָפֹ֥נָה וָנֶ֖גְבָּה וָקֵ֥דְמָה וָיָֽמָּה׃
NAS: and southward and eastward and westward;
KJV: and southward, and eastward, and westward:
INT: are northward and southward and eastward and westward

Genesis 25:6
HEB: בְּעוֹדֶ֣נּוּ חַ֔י קֵ֖דְמָה אֶל־ אֶ֥רֶץ
NAS: Isaac eastward, to the land
KJV: while he yet lived, eastward, unto the east
INT: was still living eastward to the land

Genesis 25:6
HEB: אֶל־ אֶ֥רֶץ קֶֽדֶם׃
NAS: eastward, to the land of the east.
KJV: eastward, unto the east country.
INT: to the land of the east

Genesis 28:14
HEB: וּפָרַצְתָּ֛ יָ֥מָּה וָקֵ֖דְמָה וְצָפֹ֣נָה וָנֶ֑גְבָּה
NAS: out to the west and to the east and to the north
KJV: to the west, and to the east, and to the north,
INT: will spread to the west the east the north the south

Genesis 29:1
HEB: אַ֥רְצָה בְנֵי־ קֶֽדֶם׃
NAS: to the land of the sons of the east.
KJV: of the people of the east.
INT: to the land of the sons of the east

Exodus 27:13
HEB: הֶֽחָצֵ֗ר לִפְאַ֛ת קֵ֥דְמָה מִזְרָ֖חָה חֲמִשִּׁ֥ים
KJV: of the court on the east side
INT: of the court side the east eastward fifty

Exodus 38:13
HEB: וְלִפְאַ֛ת קֵ֥דְמָה מִזְרָ֖חָה חֲמִשִּׁ֥ים
KJV: And for the east side eastward
INT: side the east eastward fifty

Leviticus 1:16
HEB: אֵ֤צֶל הַמִּזְבֵּ֙חַ֙ קֵ֔דְמָה אֶל־ מְק֖וֹם
NAS: the altar eastward, to the place
KJV: the altar on the east part, by the place
INT: beside the altar eastward to the place

Leviticus 16:14
HEB: פְּנֵ֥י הַכַּפֹּ֖רֶת קֵ֑דְמָה וְלִפְנֵ֣י הַכַּפֹּ֗רֶת
NAS: seat on the east [side]; also in front
KJV: upon the mercy seat eastward; and before
INT: front the mercy the east front seat

Numbers 2:3
HEB: וְהַחֹנִים֙ קֵ֣דְמָה מִזְרָ֔חָה דֶּ֛גֶל
NAS: Now those who camp on the east side toward the sunrise
KJV: And on the east side toward the rising
INT: camp the east the sunrise the standard

Numbers 3:38
HEB: לִפְנֵ֣י הַמִּשְׁכָּ֡ן קֵ֣דְמָה לִפְנֵי֩ אֹֽהֶל־
NAS: the tabernacle eastward, before
KJV: the tabernacle toward the east, [even] before
INT: before the tabernacle eastward before the tent

Numbers 10:5
HEB: הַֽמַּחֲנ֔וֹת הַחֹנִ֖ים קֵֽדְמָה׃
NAS: that are pitched on the east side shall set
KJV: that lie on the east parts shall go forward.
INT: the camps are pitched the east

Numbers 23:7
HEB: מוֹאָב֙ מֵֽהַרְרֵי־ קֶ֔דֶם לְכָה֙ אָֽרָה־
NAS: from the mountains of the East, Come
KJV: out of the mountains of the east, [saying], Come,
INT: Moab's of the mountains of the East Come curse

Numbers 34:3
HEB: יָם־ הַמֶּ֖לַח קֵֽדְמָה׃
NAS: of the Salt Sea eastward.
KJV: of the salt sea eastward:
INT: Sea of the Salt eastward

Numbers 34:10
HEB: לָכֶ֖ם לִגְב֣וּל קֵ֑דְמָה מֵחֲצַ֥ר עֵינָ֖ן
NAS: For your eastern border
KJV: And ye shall point out your east border
INT: draw border your eastern Hazar-enan to Shepham

Numbers 34:11
HEB: מִשְּׁפָ֛ם הָרִבְלָ֖ה מִקֶּ֣דֶם לָעָ֑יִן וְיָרַ֣ד
NAS: to Riblah on the east side
KJV: to Riblah, on the east side of Ain;
INT: Shepham to Riblah the east of Ain down

Numbers 34:11
HEB: יָם־ כִּנֶּ֖רֶת קֵֽדְמָה׃
NAS: on the east side of Ain;
KJV: of the sea of Chinnereth eastward:
INT: of the Sea of Chinnereth side

Numbers 34:15
HEB: לְיַרְדֵּ֥ן יְרֵח֖וֹ קֵ֥דְמָה מִזְרָֽחָה׃ פ
NAS: opposite Jericho, eastward toward the sunrising.
KJV: [near] Jericho eastward, toward the sunrising.
INT: the Jordan Jericho eastward the sunrising

87 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 6924
87 Occurrences


haq·qe·ḏem — 1 Occ.
qe·ḏem — 33 Occ.
qê·ḏə·māh — 24 Occ.
kə·qe·ḏem — 2 Occ.
miq·qaḏ·mê- — 1 Occ.
miq·qe·ḏem — 22 Occ.
ū·miq·qe·ḏem — 1 Occ.
wā·qe·ḏem — 1 Occ.
wā·qê·ḏə·māh — 2 Occ.

6923
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